Grid stability |
Synchronous condensers: Ansaldo Energia perspective
Ansaldo Energia entered the synchronous condenser market in 2014 and has since achieved a strong track record, delivering high-performance units optimised for stand- alone deployment or integration with conventional power plants
“Synchronous condensers are playing an increasingly strategic role in ensuring grid stability and supporting the energy transition, particularly as renewable penetration grows. They also contribute to enhancing grid restoration capabilities, reinforcing the resilience of power systems in critical conditions,” says Guido Gentile, SVP Thermal Power New Units at Ansaldo Energia. “At the same time, the increase in demand calls for sustained alignment across the supply chain to support efficient project execution. Addressing these aspects will be key to fully unlocking the potential of this technology.” The most recent project announced by Ansaldo Energia is for a grid stability enhancing facility in the UK, where Ansaldo Energia has signed a contract
with TSK UK to supply a synchronous condenser, model TRY-L63 coupled with flywheel FW 19-63 (157 t, 10.7 m), plus auxiliary components. The equipment will be delivered to Statkraft’s Necton Greener Grid Park, a grid stability project currently under construction in Norfolk, UK. The agreement also includes commissioning and training for the facility’s operating personnel.
Necton Greener Grid Park was awarded a contract in 2022 by NESO (UK National Energy System Operator) as part of its Stability Pathfinder Programme. The Stability Pathfinder Programme aims to strengthen the GB electricity grid as an increasingly significant role is played by variable renewable energy sources. Synchronous condensers provide critical grid services such as voltage regulation, reactive power, short-circuit
power and inertia, notes Ansaldo Energia, which observes that “these capabilities are becoming ever more vital as renewable generation and high voltage direct current (HVDC) connections expand.” With fast dynamic response, synchronous condensers are a well-proven and robust solution to ensure grid reliability and energy security under fluctuating conditions, says Ansaldo Energia.
“This project will be Statkraft’s largest synchronous condenser scheme to date and will be key to increasing the deployment of renewable energy to the GB grid,” commented Rubén Ondina, TSK UK Projects Director. The table below outlines Ansaldo Energia synchronous condenser projects announced to date.
Table of Ansaldo Energia synchronous condenser projects announced to date Customer
Award year
2013
Start-up year
2014
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A.
Facility Configuration
Codrongianos 2 x 250 MVAr without flywheel
Description
Strategically located and specifically designed to enhance the stability, strength and operational performance of the Sardinian power grid, the plant provides essential contributions in terms of short-circuit power, reactive power support, and voltage regulation. The facility comprises two 300 MVA air-cooled turbogenerators operating as synchronous condensers.
2018 2020
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
2019 2018 2018 2019 2019 2020 2019 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2019 2021 2021 2022 2021 2023 2023 2028 2028 2029 2029 2030 Edipower
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Terna Rete Italia S.p.A
Matera
Brindisi North (conversion)
Foggia Garigliano Villanova Candia
2 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
2 x 370 MVAr without flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
Codrongianos 1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
Suvereto Troia 2
Santa Maria Capua Vetere
Forlì Ferrara Focomorto Rotello
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
1 x 250 MVAr with flywheel
2025 2027
TSK Electronica y Electricidad UK Ltd
Necton
More than 1.3 GVA short circuit power
More than 4.0 GWs inertia
Necton Greener Grid Park is a new facility that aims to improve the grid stability of the GB national electricity transmission system. It is designed to furnish mainly short-circuit current (fault infeed) and inertia, plus reactive power for voltage control. Given the greater importance of short-circuit power and inertia compared with reactive power output in this application, Ansaldo Energia selected one of its 420 MVA air-cooled generators, originally developed for class F gas turbines (AE94.3, GT26), and paired it with a high-inertia flywheel.
This integrated synchronous condenser solution delivers an inertia contribution comparable to that of a GT36 (class H gas turbine) equipped with its standard hydrogen-cooled generator.
Provision of grid stability and inertia support services on the Italian peninsula. Each shaft line is equipped with a flywheel, enabling an inertia level comparable to that of a class F gas turbine when coupled with a 300 MVA air-cooled turbogenerator.
In addition to providing grid stability services, the Matera installation is focused also on damping power oscillations associated with the inherent variability of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar generation. Based on the successful Codrongianos project, each shaft line is equipped with a flywheel, to reach an inertia value comparable to that of a class F gas turbine when coupled to a 300 MVA air-cooled turbogenerator.
Conversion of two existing hydrogen-cooled turbogenerators (non-OEM units) to synchronous condensers, enabling the reuse of existing plant infrastructure and leveraging this strategic location on the Italian peninsula to provide grid stability services.
30 | May/June 2026 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
